Net Income Jumps 20% at Colgate-Palmolive

November 30, -0001

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Colgate-Palmolive Company reported a 20% increase in net income to $497 million in fourth quarter 2008, as compared to the prior year. According to the company, fourth quarter 2008 results include $30.5 million of aftertax charges for the company related to the 2004 Restructuring Program. The year ago quarter included restructuring charges of $75.8 million.

Worldwide sales grew 0.5% during the fourth quarter to a record $3.7 billion. Operating profit as reported increased 13% to $761.6 million.

For the full year 2008, worldwide sales as reported increased 11% to $15.3 billion. In North America (19% of company sales) business grew 1.5% to a record level in the fourth quarter, while operating profit increased 5%, stated the report. In the U.S., new product launches are contributing to market share gains across categories.

In Latin America (27% of sales), sales grew 5.5% in the fourth quarter; while in Europe/South Pacific (23% of sales), sales declined 13%. Volume gains in Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Romania and Australia were more than offset by volume declines in France, Italy and Spain. Greater Asia/Africa sales (17% of sales) increased 1%. Volume gains in India, Russia and the rest of the CIS countries, Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, the Gulf States/Saudi Arabia region, Morocco and Kenya more than offset volume declines in the Greater China region.